Albania v Spain Euro 2024 player ratings: Olmo 8, Torres 7; Ajeti 8, Manaj 5

Much-changed Spanish clinch 1-0 victory as Italy grab last-gasp equaliser against Croatia to make last 16

Thomas Strakosha 6/10

ALBANIA RATINGS: Little he could have done for the Torres goal. Very sharp low save to deny a Joselu header. Flapped at a couple of punched clearances. Good save from Morata in the second half, although the Spanish forward was offside. AFPShow less

Mario Mitaj 6/10

Looked sharp in defence until he lost his man for Olmo to score. Made some vital tackles, including one to tee up a quick counter-attack. Clever free kick to put Broja in on goal. Bamboozled by one piece of Yamal magic but otherwise dealt with him pretty well. ReutersShow less

Berat Djimsiti 7/10

Formed a strong central partnership at the heart of defence with Ajeti. Brilliant block to deny Olmo in the six-yard box. Lost Joselu in the area soon after the break. Made one barn-storming run up the pitch into the Spanish box just shy of the hour mark. APShow less

Arlind Ajeti 8/10

Always alert to danger. A true leader in defence. Headed away several dangerous crosses. Cool under pressure and authoritative in marshalling a back line that stood up pretty impressively. AP

Ivan Balliu 6/10

Didn’t offer a great deal offensively in the first half and a lot of traffic came past him on the right flank as he was often caught flat-footed. Did enough to distract Torres in the box as a dangerous cross came in. Good block on 78 minutes. Getty ImagesShow less

Kristjan Asllani 7/10

Brought a dash of stardust to midfield. Two good feet and hit some ambitious passes - some a little too ambitious. Superb strike from the edge of the box forced a good save from Raya. Lovely touch on the ball but lacked composure at times, rushing or choosing the wrong option. Pulled a shot wide on 77 minutes. Wasted a free kick in a good position late on. PAShow less

Ylber Ramadani 6/10

Worked tirelessly for the cause. Sloppy pass led to an Olmo attempt on goal. Cut out danger in his own box on more than one occasion. Busy shift. AP

Nedim Bajrami 6/10

Made some lively runs out on the left. Dithered when in a good position during a quick break when he had lots of support runners. Ran up a cul-de-sac in the box when he should have found a teammate in. Made some tigerish tackles. EPAShow less

Qazim Laci 6/10

Good harrying up front. Showed some skillful touches. Touch let him down in one promising position. AFP

Jasir Asani 7/10

Worked tirelessly in the press to win the ball back and covered a lot of ground. Good reading of play to make an interception and spring one counter-attack. A lovely pass to Laci and later hit a powerful shot that was deflected for a corner. AFPShow less

Rey Manaj 5/10

Didn’t get much change out of the physical battle with Vivian and Laporte in the lone striker role. Replaced by Broja just before the hour, which improved Albania. AFP

Armando Broja 7/10

SUBS: (On for Manaj, 59’): Definitely beefed up Albania’s presence in attack. Great run and snap shot to force a save out of Raya. Lovely turn and a stabbed shot to bring another save from the keeper at the death. EPAShow less

Arber Hoxha 6/10

(On for Bajrami, 70’): Added impetus down the left flank. Made a yard for himself in the box but lashed a wild shot off target. Took too long to take a shot just before the final whistle. Reuters

Medon Berisha 6/10

(On for Laci, 70’): Some threatening runs into the Spanish box but the end product was missing more often than not; Muci (on for Asani, 81’): N/A. Reuters

David Raya 7/10

SPAIN RATINGS: The Arsenal goalkeeper made only his sixth appearance for his country. A howler as he kicked a ball into Laporte’s back, but made some important saves as Albania never gave up and threatened. Plucked a 91st minute shot from the air. APShow less

Jesus Navas 7/10

Spain’s captain, 38, who became the country’s oldest player at an international tournament 14 years after he won the World Cup. Like fellow full-back Grimaldo, was often in plenty of space to pick his cross. APShow less

Daniel Vivian 7/10

The Athletic Bilbao defender was calm covering throughout and stopping the Albanian attacks. Booked. AFP

Aymeric Laporte 6/10

The only player who’d started in Spain’s previous game. And the first to come off. Untroubled as he was off the pitch when Albania improved. Getty Images

Alejandro Grimaldo 8/10

First-class crosses throughout. Found himself in lots of space to make them. Got high and wide and there was no shortage of players to cross to. EPA

Mikel Merino 7/10

Worked alongside his club teammate Zubimendi for his country, moving the ball quickly as Albania struggled to close Spain down. Shot over on 44. EPA

Martin Zubimendi 7/10

Real Sociedad’s defensive midfielder was given minutes – like every player in the Spain squad has now had in the three games of the toughest group. Fine. AFP

Ferran Torres 7/10

Super run to get on to an Olmo pass and, with a first-time finish, put Spain ahead after 13 minutes for his 20th Spain goal – decent for a winger. AFP

Dani Olmo 8/10

Wearing Spain’s weird lemon-coloured kit, the Catalan set up the opening goal with a masterful pass for Torres. It was like a training ground move perfected in a real match. EPA

Mikel Oyarzabal 7/10

Switched with Torres and dropped centrally as Spain made it three wins from three without conceding a goal. Spain’s first XI are strong, Spain’s second XI kept up the form. PA

Joselu 7/10

The 34-year-old only made his international debut last year. First appearance at a major tournament for Spain for the man who went on loan from Espanyol to Real Madrid - and won the Champions League and La Liga. Got into great positions, created chances out of very little and almost scored with an incredible shot. AFPShow less

Robin Le Normand 7/10

SUBS: (On for Laporte, 46'): The fourth Real Sociedad player on the pitch for Spain. Likely to be back in the starting XI in the next round. AP

Fermin Lopez 6/10

(On for Oyarzabal, 62'): Pitted against an Albanian side who were much-improved in the second half. EPA

Lamine Yamal 7/10

(On for Torres, 71'): Magical move after 82 minutes as he split the defence bringing down one pass, then he tried to pass rather than shoot. Quality again from the 16-year-old. AP

Alvaro Morata 6/10

(On for Joselu, 71'): Lovely touches as Spain pushed for a second. Reuters

Alex Baena N/A

(On for Olmo, 83'). EPA

Spain's second XI swaggered through their final game in Euro 2024 Group B with a 1-0 win against Albania thanks to a goal from Barcelona forward Ferran Torres on Monday.

Manager Luis de la Fuente made 10 changes to his starting line-up from the team that beat Italy 1-0 as they had already clinched top spot in the group. They had earlier beaten Croatia 3-0 in their opening game.

The three-time European champions enter the last 16 with a 100 per cent record and without conceding a goal.

Former Manchester City forward Torres gave Spain the lead in the 13th minute, striking a precise low finish after being put into space by a superb pass by Dani Olmo.

The result means that Albania finished bottom of the group and were eliminated and England, France and the Netherlands are all guaranteed to go through to the knockout phase.

Gareth Southgate’s team are now assured of being one of the best-placed third teams even if they don't finish in the top two of Group C. They currently lead the group by two points and face Slovenia in Cologne on Tuesday.

Spain's second string showed the strength in depth available to De la Fuente as they dominated possession in the first half in Dusseldorf.

But Albania's Kristjan Asllani did force a good save from Spain keeper David Raya with a powerful 25-yard strike in the first half.

Spain had won all eight of their previous encounters with Albania and looked far too strong in the first 45 minutes but their opponents stepped up their game in the second half, especially after substitutes Armando Broja, Medon Berisha and Arber Hoxha were introduced.

Broja forced another fine save from Raya with a stinging shot on the turn.

Albania's Brazilian coach Sylvinho said afterwards: "I am proud of the players. We competed against three great sides.

"The experience for us and for the country was amazing. The players gave everything and will remember this for the rest of their lives."

Spain scorer Torres, who has 20 goals in 44 games for his country, said: "We are forging our own path.

"We are working very well together. We are like a big family. Now we are through to the last 16 and we are just going one game at a time, but why shouldn't we have big dreams."

In the group's other game, Italy grabbed an equaliser in the eighth minute of stoppage time to draw 1-1 with Croatia and reach the knockout stages.

Luka Modric put Croatia ahead in the 55th minute but Mattia Zaccagni levelled the scores in the 98th minute with a composed finish.

The goal put Italy through as they clinched second place in the group – and sent heart-broken Croatia, the 2018 World Cup finalists, home.